I grew up in Somerville, MA, and I now live in New York City. Knicks fans have always been intense, but with this first round match-up, anti-Boston feelings are at an all-time high.

Your dagger in Game 1 has made this week much, much easier for me. Thanks a lot, and keep up the good work.

Your friend,

Steve

I didn’t get to say anything to him after the show, because he just did his set and left (presumably to do much cooler things), but I’m sort of glad I didn’t. I always find it embarrassing to meet huge comics and be like “Yeah, I’m a comic too… oh you’ve never heard of me? That sounds right… bye.”

And it’s cool to think about the fact that he’s one of like eight people to ever anchor Weekend Update. Kevin Nealon is my all-time favorite, but Quinn is definitely second. Hopefully, he’s doing more sets around the city and I’ll catch him again.

Sunday Morning (musical improv) featuring Standard Oil and Halle Kiefer
Saturday, 3/26
10 pm
Gotham City Improv (48 W 21st, btwn 5th and 6th, 8th Floor) 
 
 
Bar 13 Comedy (stand-up) with *FREE WINGS*
Sunday, 3/27
8 pm
Bar 13 (35 E 13th, right at Union Square)

So come see a show! And I PROMISE* I’ll try to update the site more.

*Promise void in all 50 states.

We’re really psyched to have two of the best improvisers in the city, Drysdale and Gausas, come and do two-person improv. If you haven’t seen these performers before, now is the time. They’re amazing, and it promises to be a great show. See you there!

(And if it’s snowing, just come! The show will not be cancelled, unless it starts snowing money. If money is falling from the sky, show’s cancelled, but other than that, the show is on.)

Also, check out some musical improv with Sunday Morning this weekend. Saturday night, 10 pm, at The Brick in Williamsburg.

I’m excited. I couldn’t do my monthly show last month because of my schedule (and general holiday apathy) but it’s good to be back. Line-up to come, and if you have any ideas for themes let me know.

• Sunday Morning (musical improv) appearing courtesy of North Coast
  • Wednesday, 1/5
  • 9:30 pm
  • The Tank (354 W 45th btwn 8th and 9th)

• Improv Show
  • Saturday, 1/8
  • 7 pm
  • Identity Bar (511 E 6th Street btwn A and B)

• Sunday Morning at The Brick Theater
  • Saturday, 1/15
  • 10 pm
  • The Brick Theater in Williamsburg

• Sunday Morning at Night! (our monthly show)
  • Saturday, 1/29
  • 10 pm
  • Gotham City Improv (48 W 21 Street, btwn 6th and 5th, 8th Floor)

[Quick editor's note: I know the headline up there says stand-up too, and I'm just confirming a few dates. Hold on to your horses and I'll post some updates later this week. Thanks!]

More importantly, what do we call this year? The two-oh-one-one? Twenty-eleven is accurate, but boring. I’m taking any and all suggestions.

2010 was a pretty crazy year for me. It was my first full year of not having a job in the sense that my Mom would like me to, and committing my time to doing comedy. And honestly… it’s been awesome. I won’t lie, it is terrifying sometimes, because I’m constantly worrying about making enough money, doing enough shows, etc. But I think dealing with your own crippling self-doubt is just as important as being confident.

Anyway, here are some goals/reflections as the new year approaches.

In 2011, I need to write a one-man show. I’ve been kicking around an idea about writing a show based on my mutual love for sports and musicals. Myself and very few of my friends can speak knowledgeably about the NFL playoff picture and the frontrunners for Tony awards this year. I’ve gotten up at 5:30 am to get tickets for two things in my life: the NBA Draft and Spring Awakening. There’s something funny there, right?

In 2011, I need to get better at shutting down hecklers. Normally, when a drunk tourist expresess their own insecurities by shouting out at a comedy show, I acknowledge it and quickly move to my next joke. And that’s fine, but I think I can do better. When audience members deserve it, when they interrupt a show more than once, I want to embarrass the crap out of that person. I want to make him afraid to talk. It’s not something I’ll use all the time, just something I want in my comedy tool belt. One of my favorite comics, Hannibal Burress, uses the phrase, “What’s up, random dude?” I think that’s hilarious. It’s a way of saying, “hey, I’m doing a show here” and also “you’re a random guy, and I’m in the spotlight with a mic. Your shouting doesn’t matter.” It always works.

In 2011, I want to go to serious acting auditions. Because why not? I have some monologues I used in college that I could bring back, and I’m sure I could find some new ones. It would be a great experience performing under pressure.

In 2010, I had a blast writing the Coast to Coast series with Julian Michaels. Regular fans of this website (which are my buddy Drew, Tim, and my aunt Joan) would know that Julian and I detailed each of the 7 games of the Celts-Lakers series last year. It was a blast. So maybe more sports writing in 2011? The market for comedic sports writing is pretty saturated, but if a storyline comes up that I think is hilarious (ie, the Brett Favre texting thing), I’ll have to spend some time on it.

In 2010, Saturday Night Live had one of its best seasons ever. Fact. I will not entertain any other opinions. That Betty White episode was hilarious and adorable at the same time. This current season is… new. With some new cast members, of course things are going to be a little clunky. Still, plenty of funny stuff and great hosts. A few dwelling thoughts on SNL:

1. No matter how much credit he gets, Bill Hader will never get enough credit. The guy is unbelievable. Spot-on impressions and hilarious characters. It’s like Lorne Michaels built a robot for SNL. Hader’s Vincent Price, Stefan, and Bond-villian-ish Julian Asange are all flawless. He reminds me of Dana Carvey; his characters are weird and goofy, but the impressions are so freaking accurate that when you see the real person on TV, all you can hear is the impression.

2. Honestly, I’ve been lukewarm on the Digital Shorts this season. Nice to see the Lonely Island guys return to form.

3. 2nd episode this season, host Bryan Cranston… you’re not gonna get Frankie Muniz to come do a Malcolm in the Middle sketch? Really, SNL? Frankie Muniz is that busy right now that he can’t come do a Malcolm in the Middle sketch?

4. Even though she always seems ridiculously pleased with herself, Anne Hathaway is the real deal. She’s killed it both times she’s hosted. And she nailed this Katie Holmes impression.  

5. Random observation: In the opening credits, look closely… Vanessa Bayer is definitely sitting next to world famous author Malcolm Gladwell, right?

In 2010, I did my first out-of-town show. For those of you at my Boston show, thanks again. I’m working to get some more tour dates together. I call that show a “tour” even though it was one show, one night, and I stayed at my parents’ house. But hey, a tour’s a tour. (PS – anyone have any pictures they could send me?)

In 2010, I didn’t update this site as much as I should have. That’s on me, guys. Check back more in 2011. I promise there’ll be more stuff.

If you have any goals or thoughts for ‘Teens decade, e-mail me and I’ll post ‘em!

Mostly because, sometimes, doing comedy really sucks. You’re busy every night, you miss Patriots games, you’re basically always working. I had no idea how much work it would take just to get to the tiny, tiny level that I’m at now. And with a full schedule already, you (or most people anyway) have to hold down a day job until NBC picks up your TV pilot about mid-twenties superhereos living in Boston. Especially when you’re starting out, it’s not a lifestyle that allows for the standard eight hours of sleep a night. 

But doing the shows that I want to do, and having fun on stage, reminds me that I’m doing all this because I cannot be happy doing anything else. It reminds me that performing is a craft and not a job. In the day jobs I’ve had, there was always a ”good enough” – people get tired, supervisors want to go home and see their kids, deadlines approach. There comes a point where everyone just says, “Fine.” In performing, especially comedy, you can never do that. Mostly because you care so much about what you’re doing, but also because, if you’re not prepared, some drunk guy in the audience will throw buffalo wings at you (*Actually happened to me. And sometimes that happens where you’re very prepared). You cannot hide, and that’s what makes performing so exciting for me.

Yikes, I just realized I’ve been typing for like twenty minutes. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaanyway, here are some cool people I worked with last weekend, please check them out:

I opened for former Villanova basketball starter and current hip hop artist Will Sheridan last weekend. Check out his music and stuff here.

The Boston show last weekend was hosted by a local stand-out, the hilarious Bethany Van Delft. I don’t know anything about the Boston stand-up scene, and she explained a lot of what was going on in Titletown. Plus, she killed it.

And the Boston show was headlined by the hilarious Colin Kane. If you haven’t seen Colin perform… just see a show. By far one of the funniest, most professional guys I’ve worked with.  

That should be about it for now. Thanks again for all the support, and check back later this week for more updates.